Grant Dillon muses with long time friend Joel Rickert about his past, presentpassions and inspirations about home

Changing Rooms

Coming from a creative family background, at an early age Grant Dillon demonstrated an ability to create a personal environment of warmth, comfort and distinction. "I used to change rooms and move furniture while my mother was working." "She understood and encouraged my passion from an early age." "I have always been inspired by her decorating flair and ingenuity of products and objects she would incorporate into our ever changing homes."

Like Mother Like Son

Grant's mother Ileane Butler who was born in depression era Oklahoma learned to be industrious from an early age. "She would take me on these day long thrift store journey's when I was a little boy, beaming with whatever treasure she would come across and we would end up transporting home in her Volkswagen Beetle." "We hauled everything but the kitchen sink in that little car, actually we hauled a bathroom sink!" "I hated it, in those days people just didn't shop thrift stores, it wasn't something I appreciated by any means, I hadn't realized how ahead of her time she was." Ms. Butler lived in San Francisco in the 1940's & 50's as a young girl working at such San Francisco landmarks as "The Fairmont Hotel" as a hat-check girl, The Actors Club, where she met prominent entertainers and "The Purple Onion." To satisfy her creative nature she began making draperies for friends and then had orders from businesses and offices, the ever busy and talented woman instilled in her children the creative drive that has kept her thriving today.Grant's brother Michael Files is a Sacramento artisan, "Mike is a Virgo perfectionist whose talents range from photography to metal sculpture and most recently he's added to his repertoire tattooing." Mike is a natural, any creative endeavor he attempts he does wonderfully.

Opening the Door

In the mid-1980's while attending college in his hometown of Sacramento, CA Grant began working for prominent Interior Decorator Mildred Reis which allowed him entry into the actual business of interior design. "Ms. Reis had such confidence in my abilities, even at 20 years old she allowed me free rein with her stores window displays and then into the showroom." "She was such a sweet woman bringing me sandwiches everyday and making an "official" lunch hour where we had to sit together and just chat." "I am ever grateful for her taking me under her wing." Never having officially studied interior design didn't hinder Grants developing talents. "I have always enjoyed manipulating an environment, taking something inexpensive and in such a raw state and transforming it into something of beauty that's livable, comfortable and dramatic."

San Francisco

In 1994 Grant with childhood friend Joseph Vikre opened "Greenhaven" a resale furniture store in San Francisco's eclectic Mission District. "One of the hardest things I've ever done, with great rewards and great heartaches." "Greenhaven" encompassed 8,000 square feet, employed 10 and was direct import of 1920's to 1960's English and Scandinavian furniture. "Joe went to Denmark and England and made contacts which began the overseas pipeline of 40 foot containers of furniture heading across the seas to our store." "Have you ever unloaded a 40 foot trailer rig piled high with furniture?, I hope I never do again!" "Greenhaven" eventually incorporated new home furnishings such as candles, wrought iron, pottery and paper goods in with the vintage furniture making it a mix of new and vintage. "We had a great unique combination, I hadn't seen it done before, and still haven't today on the scale that we did it." "Putting a price tag on my passion really changed things, it was a challenge to say the least." "Another store is in my future but small, small, small, someplace I can hang the "Gone to Lunch" sign and not worry about when I return."

Southern California - More is More

Grant's decors have been used for photo shoots and film projects. In the past Grant quotes his decorating style as "fashion", changing with the seasons. "I used to think of my apartments like a stage set, I would be changing scenes monthly, very theatrical." "I enjoy layering, maybe too much, a room should appeal to all of your senses, sight, sound, touch, smell and yes, even taste." "I've invested more in creating a lasting effect that goes beyond "seasonal rooms." "So much in our world today is really ugly, neglected, shabby and sad looking, the threshold for good taste has gotten so low or is just not existent in so much of the country, it's dismal." Grant's inspiration for creating an environment is drawn from childhood, friends, movies, "anything that pulls at your emotions." "I'm nostalgic, I love the theatrics and drama of decors of yesteryear, you just don't see that kind of detail and style in this country anymore." I remember fabulous colorful candy shops, Polynesian Tiki cocktail bars, and geometric googie styled shopping centers so full of personality, creativity and style." "What will children today remember from their childhoods in terms of aesthetics?"

No Place Like Home

After more than 25 years in Los Angeles Grant is back in Northern California, his home. "My roots will always be in Northern California, there is a different sensibility and look here." Grant now spends his time decorating on a personal level, entertaining friends, assisting with projects, and offering a hand to those who want to take a journey into the world of decor. "Our world is much smaller today, inspiration is accessible everywhere and just a click away. Grant credits close friends for their contributions, "I'm so thankful to be surrounded by creative minds, we all understand the obsessiveness that keeps us moving forward."

Embracing his passion for beauty Grant Dillon is bringing a little creativity, luxury and vintage style to today's everyday life.